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The salary range given above includes base pay and locality pay, you will also receive a 5.57% cost of living allowance for Fairbanks, Alaska. This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment and gradual decrease.

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This announcement will be used to fill temporary Biological Science Technician (Plants) positions in Alaska with a focus on the inventory of the flora and vegetation communities on refuges in the boreal forest region. When not in the field, the duty station location will be at the Inventory and Monitoring Branch of the National Wildlife Refuge System office in Fairbanks, Alaska. The work is temporary not-to-exceed 1,039 hours for the season (approximately 6 months). However, the work typically lasts 3-4 months and starts in mid May 2013.

This position is located in Fairbanks, Alaska. Information about locations within Alaska can be found at: Alaska .

KEY REQUIREMENTS

U.S. Citizenship Required

You will be required to carry a firearm in performance of your duties.

Be sure to read the "How to Apply" & "Required Documents" Sections.

DUTIES:
As an Biological Science Technician (Plants) you will:

Lead biological technicians in remote locations to collect biological and ecological data

Enter botanical and other field data into spreadsheets and databases

Assist in the development of protocols and guidelines by collecting and compiling specified data

Identify vascular plants, lichens, and mosses in the field, and collect specimens for identification and verification

For more information on the duties of this position contact either Robert Liebermann at (907) 456-0434 or Diane Granfors at (907) 786-3429.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume. To be creditable, this experience must have been for 1 year and equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade (GS - 06) of the position to be filled. (If the position was seasonal, your resume must show the periods you worked.)

To qualify for the GS-07 grade level, you must possess one of the following:

Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least a GS-06 grade level. (Examples of specialized experience include: Performing field work projects related to vegetation management and botany such as field measurement of density, diversity, etc. experimental layout, seeding or planting, fertilizer or pesticide treatment; Monitoring plant phenology and made collections of seed and vegetative materials; Conducting surveys for sensitive plants in project areas that included on-the-ground reconnaissance and record examination; Providing information and assisting in the development of environmental analysis for botanical resources.

OR

Have successfully completed one (1) full year of progressively higher level graduate education (18 semester/27quarter hours) in a position-related field of biological sciences such as botany, plant anatomy or morphology, cytology, histology, genetics, taxonomy or systematics, algology, mycology or ethno botany, and plant physiology.

OR

Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and education as described above. (To compute this, determine your education as a percentage of the education requirements and your experience as a percentage of that requirement; add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal 100% to qualify.)

Applicants must meet the experience and/or education requirements, qualifications, and any selective placement factors that have been specified in the announcement by the closing date of this announcement.

All Federal employees must obtain and maintain a favorable background investigation/security clearance.

Direct Deposit is required.

You will be required to safely carry, handle and use firearms for bear defense of self and others. Applicants are ineligible for this position if at ANY time they have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence, unless such conviction was expunged, set aside or the applicant received a pardon.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your rating will be based on your responses to the Job Specific Questionnaire and the information stated in your resume. Answers submitted in the questionnaire must be supported on your resume. If qualified, your score may range from 70-100 points. If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position. The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored. The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work of this position.

Skill in plant ecology, systematics including plant taxonomy, and identification of vascular plants, lichens, and mosses of Alaska

Skill in vegetation sampling and inventory techniques

Ability to operate field equipment necessary for completion of biological study

Skill in leading a field crew in remote locations to collect biological information

Knowledge of computer databases and spreadsheets

BENEFITS:
To explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at: Benefits .

OTHER INFORMATION:
Selectee may be required to complete a probationary period.

Travel and relocation expenses are not authorized. Travel, transportation and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced and CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP or CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your ICTAP or CTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well-qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP or CTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Information about ICTAP/CTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at: career transition .

CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they earn a minimum score of 80 on the rating criteria for this position.